Seasonal variability of the mixed layer depth in the Mediterranean Sea as derived from in situ profiles

A new 0.5 resolution Mediterranean climatology of the mixed layer depth based on individual profiles of temperature and salinity has been constructed. The criterion selected is a threshold value of temperature from a near-surface value at 10 m depth, mainly derived by a method applied on the global (de Boyer Montégut et al., 2004 dBM04). With respect to dBM04, the main differences reside in the absence of spatial interpolation of the final fields and in the improved spatial resolution. These changes to the method are necessary to reproduce the Mediterranean mixed layer's behavior. In the derived climatological maps, the most relevant features of the basin surface circulation are reproduced, as well as the areas prone of the deep water formation are clearly identified. Finally, the role of density in the definition of the mixed layer's differing behaviors between the oriental and the occidental regions of the basin is presented.